Brownfields Success:
Cape Charles, VA

Creating Greenspace at EPA's Brownfields Pilots

JUST THE FACTS

Used vegetation in Hartford, CT, to absorb lead at former paint
store site.

Assessed a town dump in Cape Charles, VA, which is being redeveloped
as an eco-park where natural habitat makes up one-half of the park's
land.

Began planning and construction of over 18 miles of trails linking
the cities of Kansas City, KS and MO together.

Economic development is a critical component of brownfields redevelopment.
However, EPA recognizes that establishing and restoring greenspace is
also important and can be a viable end use for brownfields. Greenspace
uses include parks, playgrounds, trails, gardens, habitat restoration,
open space, and/or greenspace preservation. While many brownfields become
necessary tools for a community's economic revitalization, greenspace
use can provide an asset to a community that surpasses economic benefits.

EPA recently awarded 56 supplemental assistance awards, of up to $150,000,
to existing Assessment Pilots in 28 states. Twenty-one of those Pilots
were also awarded an additional $50,000 for assessment activities relating
specifically to greenspace, such as site investigation, site characterization,
reuse planning, cleanup decision facilitation, and community involvement
related to the site. This award is applicable to Pilots where greenspace
reuse is included in their redevelopment plans. Several of EPA's Assessment
Pilots are already addressing greenspace issues and are working to include
greenspace components in their long-range goals. These sites can serve
as models to other Pilots interested in incorporating greenspace into
their own redevelopment plans.

The City of Worcester's redeveloped site will contain 40 miles
of bike paths and walkways that will crisscross 30 acres of restored
greenspace.
— Central Massachusetts Economic Development Authority Pilot

One example is the Oregon Mills Site Conversion Project Brownfields
Pilot, which has addressed 12 abandoned mill sites across the state. The
Astoria Mill property, along the Columbia River, is one of the Pilot sites
leading the way in the transformation of abandoned mills into more productive
uses. In addition to the economic potential of this particular site (a
success previously highlighted by EPA), the Astoria site has a greenspace
component; it has received a technical grant from the National Park Service
(NPS) to assist in developing a 5.1-acre recreational trail along the
property that will be added to an existing riverfront walk. There are
potential greenspace reuses at two other mill sites covered by the Oregon
Mills Site Brownfields Pilot, Molalla and Philometh. A walking path was
included in a preliminary plan at the Molalla site, and due to its high-grade
wetlands, a portion of the Philometh site.often used for field trips by
area students.may be used as open space in the final development plan.
NPS is also working with EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other
federal, state, and local agencies as part of the Kansas City Assessment
Pilot and Showcase Community. One of the 21 Pilots to receive additional
greenspace funding from EPA, Kansas City's "Riverfront Heritage Trail,"
will accommodate both pedestrians and bicycles, and will connect recreational
open space and parks with employment, commercial, and retail centers along
the urban riverfront area. The trail will eventually link up with other
existing and planned trails in surrounding communities, making it an alternative
transportation system for the entire metropolitan area. Kansas City's
Pilot and Showcase have over 18 miles of trails planned or under construction
that will link the two cities together, provide access to the Kansas and
Missouri Rivers, and wind past nine brownfields sites within the Pilot
area. The Showcase Community is also working with developers who are interested
in constructing on those brownfields sites.due in part to the development
of the trail.and is encouraging them to include greenspace components
in their redevelopment plans.

Another example is the Hartford, Connecticut, Brownfields Pilot, which
recently teamed up with the state, city, community groups, and a local
college to assess and cleanup a 1.2- acre contaminated former paint store
site. After the bulk of contaminated soil was removed by the city, students
at Trinity College planted vegetation to absorb remaining lead, eventually
cutting onsite lead levels in half. Once safe levels have been reached,
a vegetable garden will be planted onsite by an adjacent soup kitchen
that will feed local homeless people. A community garden is also in the
works.

The Central Massachusetts Economic Development Authority (CMEDA) Pilot
is also working to create greenspace at an abandoned mill site in the
City of Worcester. The project will convert a 70,000-square- foot building
and its surrounding property into a visitors. center and environmental
training center. While being hailed as a partnership success (a success
previously highlighted by EPA), the Pilot is also incorporating recreational
greenspace uses in its final redevelopment plan. When completed, the site
will contain 40 miles of bike paths and walkways that will crisscross
30 acres of restored greenspace.

The Cape Charles, Virginia, Brownfields Pilot has included greenspace
plans in its project since the beginning. Cape Charles is located on a
narrow strip of land between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Preserving and restoring natural resources in the surrounding area is
important to the Pilot and to the community. In 1994, before the Pilot
award, the site was chosen as one of four national eco-industrial park
demonstration projects by the President's Council on Sustainable Development.
Cleaning up the 25-acre town dump at the heart of proposed park was vital
to the overall development of the eco-park. The Pilot funded the assessment
of the dump and paved the way for park construction and greenspace restoration
plans. The eco-park combines development, such as a new conference and
training facility, with natural habitat, walkways, and trails. The natural
habitat comprises approximately one-half of the land in the park, including
a 30- acre Coastal Dune Natural Area Preserve and 60 additional acres
of open space.

These examples indicate that including greenspace in a brownfields redevelopment
plan can be a viable option at a variety of Pilot sites, both rural and
urban. While economic development is essential to redeveloping brownfields,
including a greenspace component can provide trails, gardens, or simple
open space that many communities need to enhance the quality of life around
re-developing brownfields. For more information about these Pilot sites
and greenspace issues visit EPA's Brownfields Web Site.